Non-invasive evaluation of the adaptations of cardiac function in the neonatal period: A comparison of healthy infants delivered by vaginal route andcaesarean section

Postnatal adaptations of cardiac hemodynamics in infants born vaginally or by caesarean section may be different. These cardiac functions were evaluat ed by Doppler echocardiography to assess adaptation differences. Cardiac ou tput, heart rate, stroke volume, mean arterial pressure, total systemic vas cular resistance, ejection fraction, and ductus arteriosus diameter were de termined and compared at 1, 24 and 72 h of life in 22 infants born vaginall y (group 1) and 23 born by caesarean section (group 2). One hour after deli very, heart rate, mean blood pressure, and total systemic resistance were f ound to be higher in group 1 infants (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.05 respecti vely). Stroke-volume measurements were significantly higher in group 2 (P < 0.05). The ejection fraction and cardiac output values were similar in bot h groups. At 24 and 72 h, no significant differences were observed in measu rements of infants born vaginally or by caesarean section. We did not find a parameter negatively affecting healthy newborns in either mode of deliver y. However, under pathological conditions affecting the cardiovascular syst em at 1 h of life, including perinatal infections and hypoxemia, a lower st roke volume, higher heart rate, higher mean blood pressure, and higher peri pheral resistance may cause additional work load to the cardiovascular syst em in infants born vaginally.